First printing, stated paperback original. Glue drying and the wrapper is coming loose, light wear. Toned pages. 

Dennis Lynds, the real name of the author, has won several Edgar awards for his mystery series. 

Their world was dead--and the few survivors of Menelaus XII-14 lived out a dazed existence of shock and bitterness. But they had a dream: that one day their planet would live again. 

The Government of the United Galaxy didn't see it that way, the dead world was a very profitable resource for exploitation. The Meneleans had to go outside the law for help--and found it in Red Stone of the half-outlaw Free Companies, mercenaries of space warfare.

Stone was willing, but he didn't know the unthinkable secret his clients were keeping from him.